Fulton National Bank, Atlanta, GA (Charter 9617)
Fulton National Bank, Atlanta, GA (Chartered 1909 - Closed (Merger) 1996)
Town History
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, although a portion of the city extends into neighboring DeKalb County. With a population of 498,715 living within the city limits, it is the eighth most populous city in the Southeast and 38th most populous city in the United States according to the 2020 U.S. census. The population in 1910 was 154,839, growing to 270,366 by 1930.
By 1860, Atlanta's population had grown to 9,554. During the Civil War, the nexus of multiple railroads in Atlanta made the city a strategic hub for the distribution of military supplies. In 1864, the Union Army moved southward following the capture of Chattanooga and began its invasion of north Georgia. The region surrounding Atlanta was the location of several major army battles, culminating with the Battle of Atlanta and a four-month-long siege of the city by the Union Army under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman. On September 1, 1864, Confederate General John Bell Hood decided to retreat from Atlanta, and he ordered the destruction of all public buildings and possible assets that could be of use to the Union Army. On the next day, Mayor James Calhoun surrendered Atlanta to the Union Army, and on September 7, Sherman ordered the city's civilian population to evacuate. On November 11, 1864, Sherman prepared for the Union Army's March to the Sea by ordering the destruction of Atlanta's remaining military assets.
After the Civil War ended in 1865, Atlanta was gradually rebuilt during the Reconstruction era. The work attracted many new residents. Due to the city's superior rail transportation network, the state capital was moved from Milledgeville to Atlanta in 1868. In the 1880 Census, Atlanta had surpassed Savannah as Georgia's largest city.
Atlanta had 12 National Banks chartered during the Bank Note Era, and 10 of those banks issued National Bank Notes.
Bank History
- Organized October 28, 1909
- Chartered December 24, 1909
- Bank was Open past 1935
- For Bank History after 1935 see FDIC Bank History website
- Merged into NationsBank, N.A. (South) in Atlanta, GA, February 1, 1996
In September 1909, the application to organize the Fulton National Bank with $300,000 to $500,000 capital was approved by the comptroller of the currency. The application was filed by M.R. Emmons, W.J. Blalock, J. Bashinski, Jr., W.E. McCalla, and S.A. Morris.[1] On Friday, September 10th, stockholders met in the offices of former Governor Hoke Smith, counsel for the new bank, and the subscription committee was appointed. Subscriptions for $100,000 were in hand and the remaining $200,000 was assured. Negotiations were under way for the erection of a building exclusively for the bank's use at Peachtree and Walton Streets. Pending construction, temporary quarters would be secured to allow the bank to begin operations within 60-90 days. It was announced that the bank would not be the off spring of any other bank, but an entirely new concern.[2]
On November 2, 1909, the organization was completed. The directors elected were W.J. Blalock, Julius Bashinski, Jr., W.E. McCalla, M.R. Emmons, W.O. Stamps, W.R. McClelland, W.A. Albright, of Atlanta; W.W. Heaton of Waco; L.B. Holt of Sandersville; W.F. Pattillo, Atlanta; J. Howell Green, J.M. Stephens, Hoke Smith of Atlanta; A.C. Blalock, Jonesboro; J.R. Mobley, S.A. Morris, A.B. Simms, R.J. Griffin of Atlanta. The officers elected were Dr. W.J. Blalock, president; Julius Bashinski, Jr., vice president; M.R. Emmons, second vice president; and A.B. Simms, cashier.[3] Arthur B. Simms was formerly assistant cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Macon and Mr. Bashinski was cashier of the Tennille Banking Co. of Tennile, Georgia.[4] The Fulton National secured a home in the English-American building (commonly known as the Flatiron Building) at the intersection of Peachtree, Broad and Poplar Streets. The bank would occupy the ground floor and basement. Handsome office furniture and fixtures were ordered. A lease of 7 years from January 1, 1910 was made for the central location in the very heart of the business district. The bank had temporary headquarters in the Peters building.[5]
The bank opened for business on Tuesday, January 25, 1910 having added H.B. Kennedy as assistant cashier. The directorate was composed of the following businessmen: Hoke Smith, attorney at law; W.R. McClelland, president, J.M. High Co.; W.F. Pattillo, manager, Hamburg-Bremen Fire Insurance Co.; J.R. Griffin, capitalist; W.O. Stamps, Fain & Stamps; W.J. Blalock, president; W.E. McCalla, Georgia manager, Federal Chemical Co.; M.R. Emmons, vice president; S.A. Morris, capitalist; J.R. Mobley, secretary and treasurer, A.M. Robinson Co.; W.A. Albright, vice president, Oglesby Grocery Co.; Julius Bashinski, Jr., vice president; J. Howell Green, Green, Tilson & McKinney, attorneys; A.B. Simms, cashier; Clarence Haverty, Haverty Furniture Co.; Isaac Schoen, Schoen brothers; L.B. Holt, banker, Sandersville, Georgia; W.W. Heaton, manufacturer, Waco, Georgia; and A.C. Blalock, banker, Jonesboro, Georgia.[6]
In January 1916, the board of directors was re-elected and the officers were re-elected as follows: W.J. Blalock, president; A.V. Simms, and Bolling H. Jones, vice presidents; Henry B. Kennedy, cashier; and R.G. Clay, assistant cashier.[7]
In 1919, the officers were William J. Blalock, president; Arthur B. Simms, Bolling H. Jones, and H.B. Kennedy, vice presidents; Ryburn G. Clay, cashier; and G.C. Evans, assistant cashier. The directors were Hoke Smith, United States Senator; W.H. Brittain, president, J.M. High Co., W.F. Pattillo, insurance; W.J. Blalock, president; Edgar T. Gentry, manager, Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.; Clarence Haverty, Haverty Furniture Co.; H.C. Gabley, Bagley & Willet; W.E. McCalla, fertilizers; J.R. Mobley, secretary and treasurer, A.M. Robinson Co.; Bolling H. Jones, vice president; R.G. Clay, cashier; A.B. Simms, vice president; W.W. Heaton, manufacturer, Waco, Georgia; A.C. Blalock, president, Bank of Jonesboro, Georgia; E.C. Callawy, manufacturer and capitalist; Morris Rich, president, M. Rich & Bros. Co.; Dr. Dunbar Roy, specialist; and Henry B. Kennedy, vice president. During the past two years the bank's deposits grew to nearly $6 million and officers found it necessary to erect a new home to provide more commodious quarters. This would make the third move for the bank. Before the lease expired on the flatiron building, it was necessary to seek larger quarters and a lease was made in the Empire building at Marietta and Broad Streets.[8]
On Monday, December 19, 1921, the massive bronze doors of the new Fulton National Bank building swung open for business marking another milestone in the movement carrying Atlanta on to constantly greater achievements. The new, fire-proof building of classic design had 50 feet of frontage on the south side of Marietta Street in the block between Peachtree and Broad Streets, extending south 110 feet to the Peachtree Arcade. The building consisted of a basement with first, mezzanine and second floors with a total area of about 16,000 square feet of floor space. The front of the building was of an ornamental terra cotta. Extensive use was made of Tennessee marble of golden vein throughout. In the main banking room were three very large chandeliers of wrought iron and gold. The directors room was on the mezzanine and the bookkeeping department was on the second floor. Directly opposite the main entrance were doors that led to the main banking room. In this room, directly to the right was situated the officers' space. Leading from this was the consultation room. To the left as one entered was a room for ladies and a ladies' teller. There were cages on the first floor for paying and receiving tellers, head bookkeeper, exchange, collection, discounts and statements. From the center of the room, a marble stairway led to the basement where safety deposit vaults and coupon booths were located as well as quarters for the trust department. The vault featured a massive 20-ton door. The furniture and filing equipment throughout was furnished by the Horne Desk and Fixture Company of Atlanta. The officers' desks and chairs were mahogany finish in English brown. In the directors' room was one of the largest tables ever used in the south. Interior trim and mill work was of quartered red gum and mahogany finish furnished by the Phoenix Planing Mills, another local concern. R.C. Lieb Co. supplied the ornamental brass and bronze work while Farrell Heating and Plumbing Co. accomplished excellent work. G.B. Thompson & Co. supplied marble, tile and terraze and the O.A. Smith Co. did the metal work and gravel roofing.[9]
In February 1931, officials of the Fulton National met with a committee of depositors of the Decatur Bank and Trust Company which closed several weeks ago with a view toward taking over certain assets of the Decatur institution and establishing a branch bank in Decatur. Ryburn G. Clay, president of the Fulton National returned from a meeting with J.W. Pole, comptroller of the currency, who authorized the establishment of the branch in Decatur.[10] On Friday, March 6th, Augustine Sams, cashier of the special committee, announced unanimous approval of the offer to purchase part of the Decatur bank's assets. In addition to the main office on Marietta Street near Five Points, the Fulton National operated branches at Buckhead and at Peters and Walker Streets with total resources approximating $15,000,000.[11] On March 26th, approval was given by Judge John B. Hutcheson in DeKalb Superior Court for the creation of a branch in Decatur. Clyde Z. Walker, former manager of the Peters Street branch was appointed manager of the Decatur branch of the Fulton National. The Fulton National's Decatur branch occupied the old quarters of the Decatur Bank and Trust Company.[12] On Monday, December 21st, in another step in the development of the Fulton National's facilities, the new home of the Peachtree Road branch in Buckhead opened affording larger quarters and the latest in safety deposit boxes of varying sizes. A private parking lot was located in the rear of the building. The branch was founded in 1929 under the direction of John S. Thompson, manager, and Mrs. Thompson, assistant manager.[13]
In January 1958, the bank reported excellent growth during 1957, including an increase of over 50% in savings deposits. President William V. Crowley told the 48th annual stockholders' meeting that net earnings rose during the year to $1,104,538 equal to $3.94 a share on 280,000 shares outstanding. Crowley attributed this growth to three things: the increase of the bank's interest rate to 3%, the bank's new main office building, and increased promotional activities.[14] In December 1958, Gordon Jones, formerly executive vice president and from a family long associated with banking and industry in Georgia, was elected president of the Fulton National Bank. He succeeded William V. Crowley who was made vice chairman of the board. Board chairman was Pope F. Brock.[15]
The main office was located at 55 Marietta Street, N.W. 55 Marietta Street, formerly the Fulton National Bank Building and the Bank South Building is a 21-story, (295 ft) office building in Atlanta, Georgia. It was the tallest building in the city when completed in 1958 until surpassed by One Park Tower in 1961. 55 Marietta Street was the site of the U.S. Post Office and Customs House (built 1878), which served from 1910 to 1930 as City Hall (demolished 1930s).
Official Bank Title(s)
1: The Fulton National Bank of Atlanta, GA
Bank Note Types Issued
A total of $7,735,210 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1909 and 1935. This consisted of a total of 981,508 notes (796,892 large size and 184,616 small size notes).
This bank issued the following Types and Denominations of bank notes:
Series/Type Sheet/Denoms Serial#s Sheet Comments 1902 Date Back 4x5 1 - 28750 1902 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 22100 1902 Plain Back 4x5 28751 - 121805 1902 Plain Back 3x10-20 22101 - 77418 1929 Type 1 6x5 1 - 14128 1929 Type 1 6x10 1 - 7460 1929 Type 1 6x20 1 - 1770 1929 Type 2 5 1 - 26782 1929 Type 2 10 1 - 14326 1929 Type 2 20 1 - 3360
Bank Presidents and Cashiers
Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1909 - 1935):
Presidents:
Cashiers:
- Arthur Benjamin Simms, 1910-1913
- Henry Bissell Kennedy, 1914-1918
- Ryburn Glover Clay Sr., 1919-1923
- Garnett Cobb Evans, 1924-1935
Other Known Bank Note Signers
- No other known bank note signers for this bank
Bank Note History Links
Sources
- Atlanta, GA, on Wikipedia
- Don C. Kelly, National Bank Notes, A Guide with Prices. 6th Edition (Oxford, OH: The Paper Money Institute, 2008).
- Dean Oakes and John Hickman, Standard Catalog of National Bank Notes. 2nd Edition (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1990).
- Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://spmc.org/bank-note-history-project
- "Atlanta, the Metropolis of the South," The Franklin-Turner Co., Atlanta, 1907.
- ↑ The Macon News, Macon, GA, Fri., Sep. 3, 1909.
- ↑ The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, GA, Sat., Sep. 11, 1909.
- ↑ The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, Wed., Nov. 3, 1909.
- ↑ The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, GA, Tue., Nov. 2, 1909.
- ↑ The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, Sat., Nov. 6, 1909.
- ↑ The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, GA, Sun., Jan. 16, 1910.
- ↑ The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, GA, Tue., Jan. 11, 1916.
- ↑ The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, Sun., Nov. 9, 1919
- ↑ The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, Sun., Dec. 18, 1921.
- ↑ The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, GA, Thu., Feb. 26, 1931.
- ↑ The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, GA, Fri., Mar. 6, 1931.
- ↑ The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, GA, Thu., Mar. 26, 1931.
- ↑ The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, GA, Mon., Dec. 21, 1931.
- ↑ The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, Wed., Jan. 15, 1958.
- ↑ The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, Fri., Dec. 19, 1958.